I Gave the Air Fryer Crab Bites a Try, and I’m Totally On Board

Social media has proven that you can cook almost anything in an air fryer. The latest TikTok craze? Air fryer crab bites—imitation crab meat diced up, coated in butter and seasoning, then air-fried to a golden, crispy finish.

Although I’m not the biggest fan of seafood, it had been years since I’d tried imitation crab. But with this air fryer trend blowing up on TikTok, I decided to give it a go. The idea seemed odd, but intriguing enough to test out.

What Exactly Are Air Fryer Crab Bites?

Air fryer crab bites aren't actually crab—they’re imitation crab meat made from a blend of white fish and starches designed to look and taste like real crab. While imitation crab comes in flake form, it’s the leg-style pieces that are perfect for this recipe. Simply chop the crab legs into cubes, toss with melted butter and your choice of seasoning (I went with Old Bay, but some TikTokers use Cajun seasoning), and air fry to crispy perfection.

Place the seasoned, buttery imitation crab into the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 15 minutes, flipping the bites halfway through. Once they're golden and crispy, serve with extra melted butter on the side for dipping.

How Do Air Fryer Crab Bites Taste?

At first, I was unsure if I'd like air fryer crab bites. But after chopping imitation crab legs, tossing them in melted butter and Old Bay seasoning, and popping them into the air fryer, my skepticism quickly faded. I expected a strong fishy odor, but instead, my kitchen was filled with a mouthwatering, buttery aroma that made me instantly hungry.

The flavor? Absolutely indulgent. The imitation crab had the perfect crab-like taste, and the buttery, crispy coating was irresistible. Although I initially planned to only eat a few bites and leave the rest for my husband, we both ended up sitting there, dipping crispy crab bites in melted butter until the plate was empty. We couldn't believe how much we loved them and agreed we'd definitely make them again, experimenting with new seasonings and perhaps even a flavorful compound butter.